Proposed legislation would make the sale of live dogs and cats at certain locations unlawful.
The bill, which was received by the Louisiana Senate on April 16, prohibits the sale of dogs and cats at public locations. HB 231 specifies where it would be illegal to sell these animals.
According to the bill, the sale of a dog or cat is banned on any highway, right-of-way, flea market, commercial or retail parking lot, public park, public playground, public swimming pool, other recreational areas and adjacent property to these locations.
A highway is defined in the legislation as the entire width between the boundary lines of every way maintained and open to the use of public vehicles, including bridges, causeways, tunnels and ferries.
Rep. Tony Ligi, R-Metairie, sponsored the legislation but was not available to comment as of press time.
Humane societies, animal welfare groups, animal-control agencies and nonprofit organizations sponsoring animal adoption events are exempt from the legislation.
The sale of dogs or cats would be legal by licensed breeders or within private residences, retail pet stores, raffles for fundraising events for a natural conservation organization and the confines of a cat or dog show.
Those who violate the bill would be fined up to $250 for a first offense. Second-time offenders would face up to a $1,000 fine.
Companion Animal Alliance Director Debbie Pearson said this legislation is vital because casual and careless breeding is one of the root causes of the huge population of homeless animals at the shelter.
“There is the attitude that pets are somehow casual possessions that one may simply dispose of in any convenient way when no longer wanted,” Pearson said.
Pearson said committed breeders would never sell animals in a parking lot or even a pet store. She said many of the roadside animals are purchased on impulse and disposed of just as quickly.
“There are absolutely wonderful animals in shelters including any breed, age and type of cat or dog,” Pearson said. “A rescued animal can give back with boundless devotion and love. Until our community becomes more educated and aware of the issues and acts in more responsible ways, animals will continue to wander, languish and die as disposable items.”
She said this legislation will make it more difficult for “backyard breeders” to carelessly breed pets. Pearson said she hopes the bill will decrease the profit motivation for those who sell dogs and cats in this way.
 
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Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected].